May Favorites

We're 3 days into June, so no more procrastinating on my part. It's time to showcase the things I enjoyed in May.

  

 

Only a few makeup products this month, as it has been getting hotter and I prefer wearing less products on my face (it will sweat off anyway if I do...gross but true). First up is the Laura Mercier Secret Camoflauge Concealer. I picked up this cult favorite during the Sephora VIB sale and have been loving it ever since. With two different tones of yellow and neutral/slightly pink, I can mix them to get my perfect shade. It is one of those products with a learning curve however; it is very dry at first so you must warm it up (I use a hairdryer). I find this works even on blemishes, and the formula lasts all day. My shade is SC-3.

Sorry it's a little rough looking!

The next thing I loved last month was the NYX lipliner in Natural. I never used to enjoy lipliners (honestly they remind me of my sisters in the 90s with the brown lip outlines...*shudders*) but this one is really nice to give slight definition. Next is another drugstore favorite, the Prestige Total Intensity Eyeliner in Intense Olive. A long unnecessary name but not the worst I've heard. These eyeliners are nothing short of amazing. They are creamy, extremely pigmented and give you time to smudge out but then set for hours. I especially love this dark olive shimmery shade on my brown eyes. Oh and they retail for $5.95. Last makeup product is the Nars Illuminator in Orgasm. I got this as a Sephora 100 point perk a long time ago and just started using it this spring. This is a really nice subtle highlighting liquid. It has a pink base with gold shimmer and somehow looks really natural for a dewy summer face.

Swatches L - R: Prestige Intense Olive, NYX Natural, Nars Orgasm

I saved my favorite favorites for last...skincare!

On the left is the Neutrogena Clear Face Liquid-Lotion Suncreen SPF 30. Like most consumers, facial sunscreen leaves me feeling greasy and smelly - but not this one. It has a very viscous texture, making it easy to blend in. The "break-out free" claim is true too, at least for me. This is impressive as most sunscreens do break out my sensitive acne-prone skin. I've enjoyed Neutrogena as an overall brand for years, so this is another thumps up from me. In the middle looking very puny in comparison is Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse oil. I did a whole post dedicated to this so I will link it here if you're interested. Lastly we have an old summer staple for me, Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer in Medium to Tan. Every year I wonder if another brand will knock Jergens off their gradual tan throne. This stuff just...works. Gives a gradual tan, moisturizes well and doesn't smell too bad. What more could you want? I use the medium to tan version because the lighter one comes off orangey on me (the worst type of self tan result).

What have you been loving lately? I hope everyone in the Northern Hemisphere is enjoying the start of summer (sorry Australians).

Update + Nars Sheer Glow first impressions

Hello there blog, long time no talk!

I am a full-time student, so I tend to get wrapped up in studying and work to blog regularly...I've been neglecting my little corner of the internet! I do feel bad about that, but I am a self proclaimed "lurker"...I've still been reading my favorite blogs to stay in the loop. I hope those on Thanksgiving break like myself are enjoying it! I finally have a chunk of time to devote to blogging :)

With my extra time, aside from reading, eating, and sleeping, I finally got the opportunity to go to Sephora. Then this happened...

 

In my defense, I have a gift card (burning a hole in my pocket). I've long been interested in trying out Nars Sheer Glow (left) and the makeup artist decided I should try the Makeup Forever Mat Velvet + (right) too, despite my explanation that I have dry skin and prefer dewy foundations in winter. I was told that Circe de Soleil performers use it as it is water/sweat proof. My fun fact of the day...she was persistent, I will give her that.

Wearing the Nars. Excuse my wet hair

Face:

Nars Sheer Glow in Mont Blanc

NYC Sunny bronzer

Nars blush in Sin

I purposely didn't use any concealer to really test it out. It has a nice finish, and feels weightless on my skin. I would say it is medium coverage at best, but slightly buildable. I wouldn't build it up to full coverage however; I think it would creep into cakey territory there. All in all, I really love it but will continue to test so long as my sample lasts. A bonus is you don't need much foundation for a full face's worth. It has a very liquidy texture (aka gets messy though!).

So there is my first impression of my first truly high end foundation! I've only ever tried Clinique foundations before and of course drugstore. I am a little wary as the Nars retails for $42USD so it's an investment, but having a great base makes everything else look better in my humble opinion!

If you noticed Sin in the lineup, I will be doing a post soon on it as well as a shadow. Those were birthday treats from October. This post looks like such a Nars binge...which doesn't sound that bad?

xx Lindsay